Rep. Duncan Hunter - protectionist dullard?

[Major Robert Dump]

Good.

Is protectionist the new insult these days? Worse than communist? One world orderist? Should I be happy that "American" cars are built by Mexicans or that Japanese cars can be imported without tariff while American cars are taxed to high heaven on export? Tell you what, fix the flipping law so companies cant default on retirments and 401ks and I'll stop being a protectionist.

[Xiahou]

Good.

Is protectionist the new insult these days? Worse than communist? One world orderist? Should I be happy that "American" cars are built by Mexicans or that Japanese cars can be imported without tariff while American cars are taxed to high heaven on export?

You would be happy that free trade has brought us unparrelleled economic success Id think- instead you seem to want to turn back the clock.

It's a plain, simple fact that imposing tariffs on non-American products, forcing out foreign companies, and whatever else you seem to be advocating would totally destroy our economy.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Good.

Is protectionist the new insult these days? Worse than communist? One world orderist? Should I be happy that "American" cars are built by Mexicans or that Japanese cars can be imported without tariff while American cars are taxed to high heaven on export? Tell you what, fix the flipping law so companies cant default on retirments and 401ks and I'll stop being a protectionist.

An insult? I don't view it as such. I don't agree with that approach to economic problems as I see it more as a band-aid then resolution. However, it does keep folks happy and employed in the short-run, and people don't eat in the long-term but everyday. Its appeal is obvious.

The companies defaulting on pensions and 401ks is a much more problematic issue. This would be one of the few areas where collective bargaining would retain relevance -- though unions have a ways to go to catch up with the times in most things.

X-man dealt with the free trade v protectionism stuff, I'll set that aside.